So you want to be a manger in Arb. Director Beccky Blackman explains how.

To read all about it turn to page 52  Pro Arb April 2024

Get in touch if you would like to discuss your options or need any advice regarding your progression  admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk   We would love to hear from you.

Are you a climbing Arborist approaching 30? Better to start planning ahead for your future career now. We were thrilled to feature once again in December's Pro Arb magazine giving some advice on how best to progress.

To read all about it turn to page 18 Pro Arb December 2023

Get in touch if you would like to discuss your options or need any advice regarding your progression  admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk   We would love to hear from you.

Over recent years we've become more aware and concerned by issues around succession, and employment generally, in Arboriculture. The Arb Association kindly supported us in sparking a conversation this spring with our first editorial on the issue (which you can read here). The discussions we've had on the back of that article have been really interesting and in the current issue (number 202) we've fed back on what's been said.

We'd love to hear your thoughts so please email us at admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk if you'd like to share them.

Beccy & Kate ☺

From rope splicing to cranes, horses to tractors and pole running to chainsaw carving this years' APF was a sight to behold. The place thronged with arborists, foresters and tree lovers of all types.

This year the show was laid on in collaboration with the Arboriculture Association. At our stand we collaborated with Keely from Tree Life to bring training and career advice to anyone happy to stop for a chat. We also ran a competition offering two FREE courses which was really popular (closing date Sunday October 2nd at midnight – more on that here).

Our stand was a few steps down from the Acorn Tavern but even without the sound of people having the odd tipple to raise money for the NSPCC that there was a sense of jollity in the air. The weather was kind and the atmosphere one of relief at being back to outings of old.

We had a visitor from the other side of the world! Jim came to see us from Active Tree services in Australia hoping to take home a bunch of arborists and consultants. We didn't find him any on the day but if you know anyone who might be interested we're sole agents for a some amazing roles so do spread the word.

Amongst other industry friends we met some in real life for the first time. Sean Thompson, an ever cheerful presence on Instagram at @atattooedarborist, who was splicing away happily at the Honey Bros stand.

We had really interesting chats with Steve from ArbTalk, and his son, on several topics including arb aprenticeships. Steve, and his merry ArbTalk members, have helped to introduce me to the industry, they aren't averse to putting me right and we've has some honest and interesting conversations on the forums.

We also met Ohil Swainston from Perennial, an amazing charity working hard in this sector. More on that soon!

It was incredible to watch the pole climbing competition progress and hear the support for it. Here's a link to a video compellation of the event by Britclip on YouTube.

The other slightly mind-blowing thing was the chainsaw carving... incredible! Here's a taste of some of the talent, starting with the winner, by chaoinsaw artist William Lee, while it was in progress.

And here's Mike Burgess with his nearly finished bear seat!

 I don't have the names of all the chainsaw artists so please don't hesitate to contact us to add any you know of.

More from our experiences at the show coming soon!

Kate & Beccy ????

At APF 2022, in collaboration with Keely at Tree Life AC, we are offering information, support and two amazing prizes for the Arboriculture community. Our theme for the show is – 'Supporting arborists in creating a long and satisfying career in trees'.

We're bringing our combined expertise to APF in September to share over 3 decades of experience in arb employment and training – no strings, no bull... just the chance for an honest chat about where your career can progress to as the years go by. If you're not able to attend the show don't worry, just follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram and you'll be in the know.

It takes planning to come off the tools into technical Arb roles and it's never too soon to start thinking about where you want your tree career to take you. Climbers have a unique view of trees and one that teaches something new every day. This learning adds up through the years and the right underlying planning and qualifications can support you in working in tree roles for life. Here's the problem though; many people don't think about what happens when they want to come off the tools until that moment arrives. All the tree knowledge in the world alone won't get you that Tree Inspector role without the right qualifications and here's where a visit to our stand can help.

Follow us to hear more and be in with a chance to WIN one of two Tree Life Arboriculture courses: a three day Professional Tree inspector qualification and a one day Fungi Recognition and Response course!

We'd love to hear what you think of our plan and if there's anything specific you'd like us to address. Just email admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk and either Beccy or Kate will get back to you.

When we asked Steve Bullman from Arbtalk about running a photograph competition we had no idea how many fab tree people would enter and we’ve loved going through the pictures.

It’s also been fascinating to see the arb world from different angles, looking up high into the canopy, looking down from a drone and up close with trees and machinery. From some of the comments on Arbtalk I think it’s fascinated arborists too. If you’d like to see them as they appear on our Instagram feed you can follow us by clicking here. But before you do that scroll down to enjoy some of the entries loved and to see the competition winners.

It’s been really hard to decide which are our favourites but we managed to whittle it down to a shortlist of 9 photos which we wanted to share because we loved them and 3 which were our out-and-out winners. We’ve explained why under each photo.

 We have 9 photos which we wanted to highlight for various reasons. These first two show a working day being enjoyed in very different weathers:

Credit: JonnyRFT

Credit: IronMike

The next two were amazing examples of being in the woods as the sun set...

Credit: Juddy  

Credit: IronMike

And these are gorgeous examples of the beautiful neaqr symmetry of trees:

Credit: AFtrees  

Credit: Patrick Goulding

And these were great examples of trees in various stages of removal:

Credit Tommy_B

Credit: Mike Dempsey

Credit: skyhuck

And our winners are... for the two runner's up prizes of £25 we have something old world and something very much more modern. We felt both had a great sense of atmosphere and portrayed the job in hand really well:

Credit: Cob-Logging

Credit: JonnyRFT

And finally, our winner is Carlos whose silhouette really seemed to us to capture a sense of purpose and concentration:

Credit: Carlos

A massive thank you to all who joined in. We'll look forward to showcasing the photos on Instagram over time and will credit the entrant wherever possible. Please follow us via the link at the top of this blog and we'll tag you if you know which was your entry. Thank you also to Arbtalk and the arb community there for the fun we've had with it. We'll message the three winners privately to arrange to send their prize.

If you've any photos you'd like us to share on Instagram don't hesitate to drop them across to us.

Stay safe and thanks again, Kate & Beccy